A-Scan Ultrasonoscope

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention is a computer-implemented method for constructing, recording, displaying and exporting a plurality of multi-parameter two-dimensional buffered image data arrays in a plurality of visual presentation formats constructed from one-dimensional single-parameter ultrasonic a-scan backscatter data, whereby quantitative relationships in a-scan backscatter data that are indicative of material identity may be more easily detected by visual analysis and more easily detected by automated inference methods.

The present application claims priority to the earlier filed provisional application having Ser. No. 62/312,918, and hereby incorporates subject matter of the provisional application in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of Invention

This invention relates to the general field of instruments that visualize and record digital data, more specifically related to ultrasonoscope instruments for visualizing and recording backscatter data acquired from ultrasound systems, and more specifically related to a type of ultrasound system known in the art as an a-scan system that produces one time-series vector of backscatter amplitude data from each pulse of an a-scan single-element probe.

Description of Prior Art

An a-scan ultrasonoscope has an a-scan ultrasound probe that is typically stationary with respect to a material being investigated. The probe generates a pulse of ultrasonic energy into the material and scattered and reflected waveform energy is received back. Each sampled backscatter amplitude value indicates the relative difference in acoustic impedance detected at some structural boundary within the material. A-scan ultrasonoscopes do not produce images of the materials they investigate, nor images of internal material structures. A-scan ultrasonoscopes in the prior art typically produce only two-dimensional Cartesian graphs of time-amplitude data.

The Problem

Until the present invention, visualization of a-scan backscatter data has been limited to displays of analog signal traces on an oscilloscope or to displays of raster-based scatter plots of backscatter amplitude values versus sampling time. As a result, users of a-scan ultrasound systems in the art cannot make use of more advanced multi-dimensional and multi-parameter data visualization techniques generally known in the art to assist such users in making more timely and more accurate diagnostic inferences and classification inferences from a-scan backscatter data. In addition, automated inference systems, such as deep learning artificial neural networks and neuro-Bayesian reasoning systems generally known in the art, cannot directly use a-scan backscatter data for investigatory material classification.

To-date, no complete solution exists to these problems. Several US Patents and some non-patent literature suggest piece-wise art that could be further developed and integrated into an improved a-scan ultrasonoscope.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,304 provides a baseline for a-scan ultrasonoscopes as they existed in the art in the year 1976. U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,124 teaches a method of generating colored dots in a raster image of displayed data. U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,989 teaches a method of quantifying A-wave data for use in medical diagnosis. U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,475 teaches a method of converting between Polar and Cartesian representations of raster data. U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,082 teaches a method of subtracting one raster data plot from another to produce a difference plot. U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,029 teaches a method of embedding audio information in a raster plot. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,690 teaches a method of preparing quantitative evidence from input data for use in Bayesian inference. U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,512 teaches a method of concurrently displaying multiple data graphs from multiple data sources. U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,383 teaches a method of displaying embedded audio in raster image data arrays; U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,181 teaches a method of comparing investigatory data to a reference data array obtained from a control material. U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,598 teaches a method of using time-amplitude graphs of ultrasound backscatter data for non-destructive testing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,569 teaches a method of presenting a-scan data formatted in multiple formats. U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,022 teaches a method of feeding a-scan backscatter data into an artificial neural network for machine learning and for data analysis. U.S. Pat. No. 7,917,317 teaches a method of pruning ultrasound backscatter samples through the use of timegates.

The book, “Computers, Patterns, Chaos and Beauty”, by Clifford Pickover, published by St. Martin's Press, New York, September 1991, pages 37-45 contains a method for creating a single visual symmetrized dot pattern scatter plot from a vector of acoustic data. The present invention extends the Pickover method by disclosing an improved method for creating a plurality of symmetrized dot pattern scatter plots from a plurality of vectors of a-scan utrasound backscatter data.

US Patent application 20140039311 teaches a method for transforming and using pruned a-scan waveform data in various vector formats for generating time-amplitude echographs as an aid in heuristic medical diagnosis of palpable breast lumps.

Objects and Advantages

One object of the present invention is to integrate the various relevant teachings into a complete working improved a-scan ultrasonoscope. Another object is to improve the content and acuity of visual images of a-scan data displayed by an improves a-scan ultrasonoscope, and thereby improve the speed and accuracy of interpreting a-scan data by an a-scan ultrasonoscope operator. Another object of the present invention is to improve the speed and accuracy of interpreting a-scan data by automated reasoning methods executing in at least one processor interfaced with the invention. Yet another object of the present invention is to ensure ease of use by an operator. The disclosed invention requires no computer software programming or any other specialized computer skills on the part of an operator in order to use the present invention effectively and to enjoy the benefits of its computation and presentation models.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention is a computer-implemented method for constructing, recording, displaying and exporting a plurality of multi-parameter two-dimensional buffered image data arrays in a plurality of visual presentation formats constructed from one-dimensional single-parameter ultrasonic time-amplitude a-scan backscatter data, whereby quantitative relationships in a-scan backscatter data that are indicative of material identity may be more easily detected by visual analysis and more easily detected by automated inference methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment for the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data model for the present invention;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B comprise an exemplary collection of actual raster images outputted by a working prototype of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a an illustration of an exemplary graphical user interface (400) for the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating steps for constructing a symmetrized dot pattern (SDP) scatter plot buffered image data array from a-scan backscatter data;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps for constructing an SDP difference-plot buffered image data array from an investigatory SDP buffered image data array and a control SDP buffered image data array;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating steps for constructing a time-amplitude with logarithmic regression scatter plot buffered image data array from a-scan backscatter data.

BRIEF LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   020 enclosure -   022 aperture -   024 single-board computer -   025 processor -   030 visual display device -   040 serial data connectors -   048 parallel data connectors -   050 ultrasound probe -   062 removable media slots -   074 digital recording device -   080 data network connector -   102 configuration settings data object -   104 input data file -   106 waveform data vector -   108 envelope data vector -   112 filtered envelope data vector -   114 buffered image data array -   115 investigatory material SDP buffered image data array -   116 control material SDP buffered image data array -   117 SDP difference plot buffered image data array -   232 control display panel -   233 investigatory display panel -   304 modal dialog window -   381 time-amplitude buffered image -   382 logarithmic regression buffered image -   383 time-amplitude with logarithmic regression buffered image -   384 symmetrized dot pattern (SDP) buffered image data array -   385 SDP difference-plot buffered image data array -   400 graphical user interface -   410 menu panel -   420 configuration settings panel -   430 graph panel -   440 data capture button -   460 status panel -   555 repository of control material a-scan backscatter files

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING THE INVENTION

For the purposes of the present invention, it is advantageous to first define several terms before describing the invention. It should be appreciated that the following definitions are used throughout this application. Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning of the term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below, unless specifically indicated.

The term a-scan as used herein is intended to mean a type of ultrasound system that produces a finite element data vector, known as an a-line, comprised of one-dimensional digital recordings of sampled backscatter amplitude values versus sample time;

The term SDP difference plot as used herein is intended to mean an SDP graph in which a dot is plotted at raster coordinates (x, y) only when there is a corresponding dot plotted at the same (x,y) coordinates in an investigatory SDP buffered image data array and also only when there is a corresponding dot plotted at the same (x,y) coordinates in a control SDP buffered image data array. A plotted dot in a difference SDP graph is intended to indicate evidence of pixel-based similarity between an investigatory material SDP graph and a control material SDP graph.

The terms backscatter data and echo data as used herein are intended to be inclusive terms, each meaning a digital representation of the totality of both scattered and reflected returning waveform energy measured in terms of relative amplitude values sampled at evenly spaced time intervals;

The terms graphic image and data graph as used herein are intended to mean a raster-based graph visually representing quantitative relationships in an array of data objects. Digital graphic images and data graphs are stored as digital files, also called buffered image data arrays, which are retrieved and displayed on a digital display device or printed on a printing device or exported on computer-readable media;

The term image as used herein is intended to mean a two-dimensional raster-type visual image produced from data that are stored in raster form, which data are sometimes called a bitmap or a buffered image data array;

The term logarithmic regression graph as used herein is intended to mean a one-dimensional x-y scatter plot of time increments along the x axis (abscissa) and a logarithmic attenuation value plotted as a dot for each time tick along the x axis. The plotted attenuation value is calculated as [y(x)=a+b*In(x)]. The attenuation parameters (a) and (b) may be calculated using a minimum-error best-fit method applied to logarithmic signal attenuation decay from maximum amplitude value at x(0) to minimum amplitude value at x(max).

The term symmetric dot pattern graph as used herein is intended to mean a polar coordinate graph created from pairs of a-scan ultrasonic backscatter data vectors, according to a method modified herein from a method known in the art for acoustic waveforms.

The term time amplitude graph as used herein is intended to mean a one-dimensional x-y scatter plot of time increments along the x axis (abscissa) and sampled backscatter amplitude values along the y axis (ordinate).

The term time-amplitude graph with logarithmic regression as used herein is intended to mean a consolidation of a time-amplitude buffered image data array with a logarithmic regression buffered image data array, where the consolidated image data array is plotted as a single scatter plot;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION—FIG. 1 TO FIG. 7

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of an a-scan ultrasonoscope into which the present disclosed computer-implemented method would be installed and configured. Referring to FIG. 1, an enclosure (020) encapsulates individual components of the exemplary embodiment. The enclosure has an aperture (022) for installing a raster type visual display device (030). Alternatively, the enclosure may be configured without an enclosed visual display device, and in such a case the enclosure need not contain an aperture.

A single-board computer (024) and operating system such as Linux (not shown) is installed within the enclosure and is used for executing logic and control instructions specific to the present invention. The single-board computer is comprised of a single circuit board that includes at least one processor (025), ROM, RAM, a networking interface, a plurality of serial I/O interfaces, a parallel digital display interface, a microprocessor operating system with common device drivers, and a connection to a power source, all known in the art. Alternatively, the single-board computer may be implemented as a custom designed application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be implemented as a shared digital processor in a network-based processing server.

The raster type visual display device is mounted within the aperture within the enclosure and connected to the single-board computer. The visual display device includes common touch, pointing, and gesture capabilities. Alternatively, the visual display device may be installed as a peripheral component of the present invention and connected to the instrument enclosure through a parallel data connector (048). Alternatively, the visual display device could be implemented as a window on a computer connected to the present invention through a data network connection (080). Alternatively, the user touch, pointing and gesture capabilities could be replaced by a common pointing device, such as a “mouse”, connected to one of a plurality of serial connectors (040). A plurality of serial data connectors (040) are attached to the single-board computer through apertures (not shown) in the enclosure.

A digital ultrasound probe (050) may be attached to a serial connector as a peripheral component of the present invention for the purpose of acquiring a-scan data in real-time as those data are produced by the probe. Probe-specific device drivers (not shown) must also be installed in the single-board computer for the purpose of providing bi-directional commands and data transfer between the probe and the single-board computer.

A data network connector (080) is attached to the single-board computer through an aperture in the enclosure. The network connector is used to send and receive data across a local or remote data network.

A plurality of digital media slots (062) for removable non-transitory computer-readable media are attached to-the single-board computer for the purpose of accepting the insertion and removal of computer-readable media. A digital recording device (074), such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, is also included for persistent storage of data.

When an optional ultrasound probe is connected to the present invention and is actively streaming data to the single-board computer, the single-board computer is programmed by means of logic and control instructions to respond to an operator command entered through a user interface (400) that will command the single-board computer to make a digital recording of the operator-selected a-line echo data received from the probe.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data model summarizing primary data entities included in a preferred configuration of the present invention. A data model defines and describes principal data classes, objects, and their relationships. Referring to FIG. 2, a configuration settings data object (102) defines a plurality of global configuration settings for the present invention, containing attribute-value pairs that an operator of the present invention or a computer system interfaced with the present invention may use to select individual settings parameters from a selection group and adjust by means of a user interface in order to modify the operation of the computer and thereby modify the operation of the present invention. Normally, the configuration settings are retained between uses of the invention. If the retained setting are valid for a current use of the invention, they may be used without change. If the current configuration settings data need to be changed, the operator may use the graphical user interface to modify selected settings. Edited configuration settings are saved as edited default values and only need to be modified again by the operator when different operational characteristics are desired. Table 1 summarizes exemplary configuration settings selection groups and selection choices.

TABLE 1 PREFERRED CONFIGURATION SETTINGS Configuration Settings Exemplary settings choices Input data source Network server, file system, removable media, probe Vector formatting model RF waveform vector, Hilbert envelope vector, FIR filtered envelope vector Buffered image Time-amplitude with logarithmic regression, formatting model Symmetrized Dot Pattern (SDP) SDP angle of symmetry Enter a numeral (60 degrees is typical) 033 SDP lag between points Enter a numeral (1 is typical) Type of image display Single image, dual image, difference image Recording destination Printer, data storage device, removable media Exporting destination Data network, removable media FIR filter size Enter a numeral (25 to 30 is typical) Hilbert phase shift Enter a numeral (5 to 10 is typical) Pruning (0 to start-t) Enter a numeral < vector length Pruning (end-t to end of Enter a numeral > pruning start, and < vector vector) length

Continuing with FIG. 2, an input data file (104) contains input a-scan backscatter data as received from either an attached probe or from a directory of such files previously recorded on a digital recording device. Input probe data, when captured by the operator, are also saved and recorded on digital media.

A waveform data vector (106) is an input data file (104) that has been transformed into a finite element data vector comprised of normal RF waveform formatted amplitude values as a function of elapsed time since an originating pulse of ultrasound energy.

An envelope data vector (108) is a finite-element fixed-length one-dimensional array consisting of an approximate Hilbert envelope delineating the upper side band values of a waveform data array (106). Methods for implementing approximate Hilbert envelopes are known in the art.

A filtered envelope vector (112) is an envelope vector that has been transformed by an FIR filter to reduce unimportant variations in signal data. Methods for implementing an FIR filter are known in the art.

The waveform data vector, the envelope data vector, and the filtered envelope vector are saved into a global working memory area within the computer, thereby making such data vectors available to various steps within the computer-implemented method of the present invention.

With reference to the configuration settings data object (102) (See table 1), a formatted buffered image data array (114) is constructed from either the waveform data vector, or the envelope data vector, or the filtered envelope vector. A buffered image data array (114) is an array of data that represent a displayable image as a rectangular array of pixels. Buffered image arrays may be sent to the digital recording device (074), or to the network connector (080), or to a printer (not shown), or to the visual display device (030). Digital recordings of buffered image data arrays and printed images of buffered image data arrays may be sent to automated inference systems interfaced with the present invention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B comprise an exemplary collection of actual raster images outputted by a working prototype of the present invention. They are included here to further aid the reader in understanding the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the SDP data graph on the top of the sheet is of a-scan backscatter data obtained from a control material of known classification, and the SDP data graph on the bottom of the sheet is of a-scan backscatter data obtained from a material of unknown classification. It should be appreciated that upon visual inspection it can be seen that the investigatory material does not belong in the control material classification.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the data shown represents a-scan time-amplitude data obtained from an investigatory material. It should be appreciated that the echo amplitude values on the y-axis generally decline over time due to attenuation of the backscatter signal. A significant decline in echo amplitude values beginning at about sample number 400 to about sample number 1200 indicates that the a-scan pulse must be traveling through a second embedded material of different characteristics, and therefore likely to be different material. The logarithmic regression line highlights the start of the embedded material, the size (in time or distance) of the embedded material, the relative difference in echo activity, and the end of the embedded material starting at about sample number 900.

FIG. 4 is a an illustration of an exemplary graphical user interface (400) for the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the user interface (400) provides objects and methods that enable the operator of the present invention to interact graphically with the present invention. Design of graphical user interfaces is well known in the art and need not be disclosed in more detail here. But in summary: the exemplary graphical user interface (400) contains:

-   -   a menu panel (410) for an operator to use to perform operations         concerning the overall operation of the present invention,         including at least a “file” menu item for starting, stopping,         and shutting down the invention, and for exporting and printing         graphic data; an “edit” menu for editing operational         configuration settings (102); a “view” menu item for setting         size and resolution of different user interface panels; a         “windows” menu item for displaying multiple on-screen windows;         and a “help” menu item for displaying instructions to an         operator concerning how to perform particular tasks;     -   a settings panel (420) for an operator to view and edit         operational settings, such as the presence or absence of an         attached ultrasound probe, path and file name of the selected         input data file, length of input data arrays, the number of         plots to display in each graph (one or two), the style of         display plots (time-amplitude, SDP, power spectrum), which data         slice of a graph to plot, where to send an output graph         (printer, digital media, network, display device, etc.);     -   a data capture button (440) for the operator to use to select a         single file of echo data streaming into the invention from an         attached probe (050);     -   a graph panel (430) for the visual display of data graphs; and     -   a status panel (460) for text-based and icon-based         communications between the disclosed computer-implemented method         and its operator.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating steps for constructing a symmetrized dot pattern (SDP) scatter plot from a-scan backscatter data. Referring to FIG. 5, the steps consist of:

(a) with reference to the configuration settings data object (102), initializing program data variables used by various steps in the disclosed computer-implemented method, including program data variables for containing a selected a-scan backscatter data vector, a first pruning index value for pruning an a-scan backscatter data vector by means of excluding from further processing all echo data samples with sample numbers beginning from the first sample in the vector to the selected first pruning number, a second scalar pruning number for pruning an a-scan backscatter data vector by means of excluding from further processing all data echo samples from the second pruning number to the last sample in the backscatter data vector, a scalar number of data points in a pruned a-scan backscatter data vector between the first pruning index value and the second pruning index value, a scalar number of SDP plot sectors which is typically 6, a scalar number for a symmetry angle of the SDP plot which is typically 60 degrees, the largest amplitude value in the a-scan backscatter vector, the smallest amplitude value in the a-scan backscatter vector, a scaling upper bound for amplitude values which is typically 60, the time lag between pairs of SDP points plotted which is typically one sample time interval, a first dot color to be assigned to a dot to be plotted in the SDP plot, and a second dot color to be assigned to a dot to be plotted in the SDP plot;

(b) for each data point in the backscatter vector, rescaling the backscatter data point amplitude value by setting the scaled backscatter data point=(unscaled backscatter data point−smallest backscatter data point value)*scaling-upper-bound/(largest backscatter data value−lowest backscatter data value);

(c) setting graphics output coordinates to polar coordinates;

(d) setting up polar coordinate axes for radius and theta, with radius ranging from −scaling_upper_bound to +scaling_upper_bound, and theta ranging from 0 to 360 degrees;

constructing a buffered SDP image data array from the rescaled a-scan backscatter data, by performing the steps of:

(e) looping through all data points in the pruned a-scan backscatter vector minus 1, if the next point in the pruned a-scan backscatter vector has an amplitude value that is larger than the amplitude value of the current point value, then setting the color of the dot equal to a first dot color, otherwise setting the dot color equal to a second dot color; and

(f) still within the main loop, for all symmetry angles from 0 to 360, plot dot at (radius=current waveform value, theta=angle+next waveform value), and plot dot at (radius=current waveform value, theta=angle−next waveform value).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps for constructing an SDP difference-plot buffered image data array from an investigatory SDP buffered image data array and a control SDP buffered image data array. Referring to FIG. 6, the steps consist of:

-   -   for each pixel coordinate location (x,y) in the investigatory         SDP buffered image data array (115),         -   if there is a scatter plot dot present at the investigatory             SDP buffered image data array pixel coordinate location, and             if there is at least one scatter plot dot present in a             neighborhood of pixels in the control SDP buffered image             data array (116) wherein the said neighborhood is 2N pixels             wide and 2N-pixels high centered at and surrounding the same             pixel coordinate location in the control SDP buffered image             data array as the scatter plot dot pixel coordinate location             of the dot present in the investigatory SDP buffered image             data array, then             -   plotting a dot in the difference-plot buffered image                 data array at the pixel coordinate location (x,y) from                 the investigatory SDP buffered image data array.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating steps for constructing a time-amplitude with logarithmic regression scatter plot from a-scan backscatter data. Referring to FIG. 7, the steps consist of:

(a) initializing method variables, including the selected a-scan backscatter data vector, a first scalar pruning index value for pruning an a-scan backscatter data vector by means of excluding from further processing all echo data samples with sample numbers beginning from the first sample in the vector to the selected first pruning number, a second scalar pruning index value for pruning an a-scan backscatter data vector by means of excluding from further processing all data echo samples from the second pruning number to the last sample in the backscatter data vector, a scalar number of points in a pruned a-scan backscatter vector between the first pruning index value and the second pruning index value, a first dot color for dots in a time-amplitude buffered image data array, and a second dot color for dots in a logarithmic regression buffered image data array;

(b) constructing a time-amplitude buffered image data array (321) by performing the steps of for all data points in the pruned a-scan backscatter data vector (305), plotting a dot at (time axis=sample number, amplitude axis=amplitude value at time=sample number) using the first dot color;

(c) for the set of all data points in the pruned backscatter vector calculating logarithmic regression coefficients a, and b;

(d) for all data points in the pruned a-scan backscatter data vector plotting a dot at time axis value=sample number, and amplitude axis value=a+b*In(sample_number) where a and b are logarithmic regression numbers for the set of all points in the pruned a-scan backscatter data vector, using the second dot color;

(e) showing both buffered image data arrays in one scatter plot in the GUI image panel, with the displayed graph points in the logarithmic regression data array overlaying the displayed graph points in the time-amplitude data array.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary manner for using an a-scan ultrasonoscope instrument with the present computer-implemented method installed and configured therein is as follows:

An operator first powers on the instrument and connects an ultrasound probe if desired. Then the operator configures the instrument by reviewing and possibly editing configuration settings values (102) displayed in the configuration settings panel (212) of the user interface (400). Some of the exemplary editable configuration settings are illustrated in Table 1.

Next, the operator uses the user interface (400) to command the presently disclosed computer-implemented method executing on a processor interfaced with the instrument to acquire input data and process them and record them and graph them into a selected graph format; and then send the graph data to a possible plurality of output media or devices in accordance with operator edited configuration settings (102).

Finally, the operator may repeat the process for another investigation.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the present invention advances the prior art by providing new data visualization capabilities to assist a-scan ultrasound clinicians, physicians, nurses, material scientists, and researchers to discover and identify and remember distinguishing characteristics and patterns in a-scan ultrasound echo data that are indicative of material classification or identity. The reader will also see that the present invention advances the prior art by providing computer readable formatted buffered image data arrays that may be visualized, printed, recorded and exported to assist automated inferencing methods to discover and identify and remember distinguishing characteristics and patterns in a-scan ultrasound echo data that are indicative of material identity.

It is anticipated therefore that both human users and automated systems will be enabled to make faster and more accurate inferences concerning classification of ultrasonically permeable materials scanned by a-scan ultrasound systems.

Although the description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments and configurations of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A computer-implemented method for constructing, recording, visually displaying and exporting a multi-parameter two-dimensional buffered image data array formatted by said computer-implemented method into a plurality of visual presentation formats and constructed from investigatory material single-parameter one-dimensional a-scan ultrasonic backscatter data, comprising executing on a processor the steps of: showing a configuration settings panel (420) in a graphical user interface (400) and requesting an operator of the present invention or a computer-based system interfaced with the present invention to configure said computer-implemented method by inputting method configuration parameter values for each selection group in a configuration settings data object (102) and saving the inputted method configuration parameter values in persistent computer-readable storage interfaced with the processor, showing a modal dialog window (304) in the user interface and requesting an operator of the present invention or a computer-based system interfaced with the present invention to choose an input data file (104) for investigation, selected from an input data source selection group consisting of input data sources interfaced with the present invention, transforming the investigatory input data file into a formatted investigatory input data vector by application of a vector formatting model selected from a data vector formatting model selection group stored in the configuration settings data object (102), and consisting of at least a waveform data vector (106) formatting model and an envelope data vector (108) formatting model and a filtered envelope data vector (112) formatting model, transforming the formatted investigatory input data vector into a formatted investigatory buffered image data array (114) by application of a buffered image data array formatting model selected from a buffered image data array formatting model selection group stored in the configuration settings data object (102), and consisting of at least a symmetrized dot pattern (SDP) buffered image (384) data array formatting model and a time-amplitude with logarithmic regression buffered image (383) data array formatting model, displaying the formatted investigatory buffered image data array in an investigatory display panel (233) on a raster display device (030), recording the investigatory input data file and formatted investigatory input data vector and investigatory buffered image data array to a recording destination selected from a recording destination selection group stored in the configuration settings data object, and consisting of at least a raster printing device (030) and a digital recording device (074) and removable media inserted into a removable media slot (062), and exporting the investigatory input data file and formatted investigatory input data vector and investigatory buffered image data array to an exporting destination selected from an exporting destination selection group stored in the configuration settings data object, and consisting of at least a data network connector (080) and removable media inserted into a removable media slot (062).
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising executing on a processor additional steps for constructing, recording, visually displaying and exporting a second multi-parameter two-dimensional buffered image data array constructed from control material single-parameter one-dimensional a-scan ultrasonic backscatter data, which additional steps consist of: showing a modal dialog window in a graphical user interface and requesting an operator of the present invention or a computer-based system interfaced with the present invention to choose a control material input data file from a repository of control material a-scan backscatter files (555) interfaced with the present invention, transforming the control input data file (104) into a formatted investigatory input data vector by application of the same vector formatting model that was used for formatting the investigatory input data file, transforming the formatted investigatory input data vector into a formatted investigatory buffered image data array by application of the same buffered image data array formatting model that was used for formatting the investigatory input data file, displaying the formatted investigatory buffered image data array in a control display panel (232) on the raster display device, recording the control input data file and formatted control input data vector and control buffered image data array to the same recording device that was used for the investigatory data, and exporting the control input data file and formatted control input data vector and control buffered image data array to the same exporting destination that was used for the investigatory data.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising executing on a processor additional steps for constructing, recording, visually displaying and exporting a multi-parameter two-dimensional SDP difference-plot buffered image data array (117), which additional steps consist of: for each pixel coordinate location (x,y) in the investigatory SDP buffered image data array (115), if there is a scatter plot dot present at the investigatory SDP buffered image data array pixel coordinate location, and if there is at least one scatter plot dot present in a neighborhood of pixels in the control SDP buffered image data array (116) wherein the said neighborhood is 2N pixels wide and 2N-pixels high centered at and surrounding the same pixel coordinate location in the control SDP buffered image data array as the scatter plot dot pixel coordinate location of the dot present in the investigatory SDP buffered image data array, then plotting a dot in the difference-plot buffered image data array at the pixel coordinate location (x,y) from the investigatory SDP buffered image data array displaying the difference-plot buffered image data array in a new window that overlays the graphical user interface, recording the difference-plot buffered image data array to the same recording destination used for the investigatory data, exporting the difference-plot buffered image data array to the same recording destination used for the investigatory data.
 4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for constructing, recording, visually displaying and exporting a multi-parameter two-dimensional buffered image data array formatted by said computer-implemented method into a plurality of visual presentation formats and constructed from investigatory material single-parameter one-dimensional a-scan ultrasonic backscatter data, comprising instructions stored thereon that when executed on a processor perform the steps of: showing a configuration settings panel (420) in a graphical user interface (400) and requesting an operator of the present invention or a computer-based system interfaced with the present invention to configure said computer-implemented method by inputting method configuration parameter values for each selection group in a configuration settings data object (102) and saving the inputted method configuration parameter values in persistent computer-readable storage interfaced with the processor, showing a modal dialog window (304) in the user interface and requesting an operator of the present invention or a computer-based system interfaced with the present invention to choose an input data file (104) for investigation, selected from an input data source selection group consisting of input data sources interfaced with the present invention, transforming the investigatory input data file into a formatted investigatory input data vector by application of a vector formatting model selected from a data vector formatting model selection group stored in the configuration settings data object (102), and consisting of at least a waveform data vector (106) formatting model and an envelope data vector (108) formatting model and a filtered envelope data vector (112) formatting model, transforming the formatted investigatory input data vector into a formatted investigatory buffered image data array (114) by application of a buffered image data array formatting model selected from a buffered image data array formatting model selection group stored in the configuration settings data object (102), and consisting of at least a symmetrized dot pattern (SDP) buffered image (384) data array formatting model and a time-amplitude with logarithmic regression buffered image (383) data array formatting model, displaying the formatted investigatory buffered image data array in an investigatory display panel (233) on a raster display device (030), recording the investigatory input data file and formatted investigatory input data vector and investigatory buffered image data array to a recording destination selected from a recording destination selection group stored in the configuration settings data object, and consisting of at least a raster printing device (030) and a digital recording device (074) and removable media inserted into a removable media slot (062), and exporting the investigatory input data file and formatted investigatory input data vector and investigatory buffered image data array to an exporting destination selected from an exporting destination selection group stored in the configuration settings data object, and consisting of at least a data network connector (080) and removable media inserted into a removable media slot (062).
 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, further comprising additional instructions stored thereon for constructing, recording, visually displaying and exporting a second multi-parameter two-dimensional buffered image data array constructed from control material single-parameter one-dimensional a-scan ultrasonic backscatter data, wherein said additional instructions when executed on a processor perform the steps of: showing a modal dialog window in a graphical user interface and requesting an operator of the present invention or a computer-based system interfaced with the present invention to choose a control material input data file from a repository of control material a-scan backscatter files (555) interfaced with the present invention, transforming the control input data file (104) into a formatted investigatory input data vector by application of the same vector formatting model that was used for formatting the investigatory input data file, transforming the formatted investigatory input data vector into a formatted investigatory buffered image data array by application of the same buffered image data array formatting model that was used for formatting the investigatory input data file, displaying the formatted investigatory buffered image data array in a control display panel (232) on the raster display device, recording the control input data file and formatted control input data vector and control buffered image data array to the same recording device that was used for the investigatory data, and exporting the control input data file and formatted control input data vector and control buffered image data array to the same exporting destination that was used for the investigatory data.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5, further comprising executing on a processor additional steps for constructing, recording, visually displaying and exporting a multi-parameter two-dimensional SDP difference-plot buffered image data array (117), which additional steps consist of: for each pixel coordinate location (x,y) in the investigatory SDP buffered image data array (115), if there is a scatter plot dot present at the investigatory SDP buffered image data array pixel coordinate location, and if there is at least one scatter plot dot present in a neighborhood of pixels in the control SDP buffered image data array (116) wherein the said neighborhood is 2N pixels wide and 2N-pixels high centered at and surrounding the same pixel coordinate location in the control SDP buffered image data array as the scatter plot dot pixel coordinate location of the dot present in the investigatory SDP buffered image data array, then plotting a dot in the difference-plot buffered image data array at the pixel coordinate location (x,y) from the investigatory SDP buffered image data array displaying the difference-plot buffered image data array in a new window that overlays the graphical user interface, recording the difference-plot buffered image data array to the same recording destination used for the investigatory data, exporting the difference-plot buffered image data array to the same recording destination used for the investigatory data. 